Bob’s losses had little to do with real estate - Posted by John Behle
Posted by John Behle on March 16, 2000 at 01:00:38:
I know Bob well and spoke, wrote and consulted for his company at the time. I was owed money too.
I know much of the intricate details and it had little if anything to do with the principles taught in his book.
He lost money in the seminar business. Part of the reason for that was the heavy competition from Al Lowry. I was at Mark Haroldsen’s Christmas party a year or two before when he announced that Al Lowry had just declard “war” on Bob Allen and Mark Haroldsen.
Every time they went into a city, as soon as Lowry found out he would come in with heavy advertising to lower their profits and try to drive them out of business. It hurt them all, yet Lowry was the first one out of the business.
Then 60 minutes started chasing Joe Land around. I was there the day they filmed him at the UPI convention in California. They did a nasty piece on him and the real estate industry. It hurt everybody.
Then a very rare snow slide took out his brand new million dollar cabin in Sundance and nearly killed his wife. It cost him over a million dollars.
Then Luther’s restaurants that he had invested in took a dive. I think the partner he trusted ran off with some of the money. I think the film(s) he invested in didn’t pan out either.
NONE of that has a darn thing to do with real estate or the principles in his book. The tax problems and much of the debts were because the seminar company that he really had little to do with went down the tubes in the midst of the competition and bad press.
Even if his losses had to do with real estate it wouldn’t make the knowledge, advice and creativity in his books and materials untrue. If Bob ran Naked through the Superbowl it would have about as much bearing.
Even if his losses had been in real estate, I would be interested to hear about the gains. And - I’d be interested to learn from the losses. If I were heading into a “mine field” I would want to hear all I could from those who crossed safely and also those who came back minus a few toes.
I’d take boxing advice from Muhamed Ali even though Pee Wee Herman could kick his >>>> right now. If I wanted to create a successful kids show, I’d listen to Pee Wee Herman. I just wouldn’t be interested in his recommendation of theaters or hobbies.
People make mistakes. People branch out into other endeavors they shouldn’t. People have character flaws. I will not rip my brain out of my head and kick it down the street because everyone that ever taught me any portion of everything I know had flaws and made mistakes.
What I will do is learn all I can from everyone I can and sort and sift through with my brain to come up with a strategy and plan that works for me. Some of the most valuable information I’ve ever learned has come from people who have barely survived or gotten out alive. Some of the least valuable information has come from Professors and others who never had the guts to leave school and try it out.
Sometimes painting a picture using irrelevent or partial information to skew the beliefs and charge the emotions of the reader is very successful - IF that’s what you want to do. But what they heck does it have to do with someone’s ideas, creativity or ability to teach?
If we wait for someone perfect to come along and teach us, we’ll starve to death. Want to learn wisdom and be successful? - look for the scarred and battle weary soldier that comes in from the front lines.